Dupaco Foundation Scholarship
Education for a Brighter Tomorrow
The Dupaco Foundation is a proud supporter of education. And we’d love to help you succeed in yours. That’s why we’re awarding 20 renewable scholarships to high school seniors.
High School Seniors: Your Future Starts Here
College is full of possibilities–and Dupaco Foundation wants to help you get there. Our renewable college scholarship program is for high school students who are ready to take the next step in their education journey and who could use some financial assistance along the way. Whether you’re dreaming of a four-year university, community college or trade school, Dupaco Foundation is here to support your goals and help ease the financial burden.
Details & Eligibility
How It Works
The Dupaco Foundation Scholarship program offers renewable grants. That means if you continue to meet the eligibility criteria, you could receive a $1,000 grant each year throughout your undergraduate studies. Explore the details below to find the perfect fit for your future.
4-Year College/University Scholarship Program
Scholarships available: 10 scholarships of $4,000 each, distributed in annual increments of $1,000 over four years.
Community College/Trade School Scholarship Program
Scholarships available: 10 scholarships of $2,000 each, distributed in annual increments of $1,000 over two years*.
*An extension option of up to $2,000 is available if transferring to a four-year college/university.
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Eligibility
High School Senior: Applicants must be a graduating high school senior. Current college students are not eligible for this scholarship.
Programs: Applicants must qualify for one of the following programs:
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College/University Scholarship Program: Entrants must be classified as a first-time, full-time incoming student who plans to attend an accredited four-year college or university for an undergraduate degree for the 2026/2027 academic year.
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Community College/Trade School Scholarship Program: Entrants must be classified as a first-time, full-time incoming student who plans to attend an accredited community college, trade school, or technical college for a degree or certificate for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Charter Area: Entrant must be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident. Entrant’s permanent home address must be located in one of the following states and counties:
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Iowa: Any county
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Illinois: Carroll, Jo Daviess, Rock Island, Stephenson, Whiteside
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Wisconsin: Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Lafayette, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Walworth, Waukesha
Grade Point Average: Entrant is required to have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale at the time of application.
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Application process
Entrants must submit their application by the deadline date: February 25, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (CT). Incomplete applications or applications not fulfilling the entry requirements will not be included in the judging. Entrants can complete their application at www.dupaco.com/scholarship. The following are required as part of the application:
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Transcript: Entrants must establish scholastic standing by uploading a PDF of their most recent official transcript, including the fall 2025 semester (first semester of senior year).
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Financial Need: Entrants must establish financial need by providing documentation of their Student Aid Index (SAI) number from FAFSA. This should be obtained by saving or taking a screenshot of their FAFSA Submission Summary. This documentation must include their first and last name and SAI number. Any other personal information included in the summary may be blacked out.
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Essay: Entrants must address the following topic in an original 500-word (maximum) essay:
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Describe a significant personal success you have achieved. This could be an instance where you overcame a major hardship, demonstrated emotional maturity, exhibited exceptional motivation, showed remarkable perseverance, etc. Your essay should include the following elements:
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Background: Describe the context or situation leading up to your success. What challenges or obstacles did you face? How did these circumstances impact you emotionally, mentally, or physically?
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Actions Taken: Detail the specific steps you took to achieve this success. Highlight any strategies, resources, or support systems you utilized. Discuss any moments of doubt or difficulty and how you overcame them.
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Personal Growth: Reflect on how this experience contributed to your personal development. Did it enhance your emotional maturity, strengthen your motivation, or build your perseverance?
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Impact on Future Goals: Explain how this success has influenced your future aspirations. Has it shaped your career goals, academic pursuits, or personal values? How do you plan to build on this success moving forward
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Plagiarized work will result in disqualification. Any statistics, quotes, or information coming from an outside source must be cited. Failure to cite sources is considered plagiarism and will result in disqualification.
Scholarship essays become the exclusive property of Dupaco Foundation and by submitting the electronic application, the entrant is giving Dupaco Foundation and Dupaco Credit Union permission to publish their written essay on Dupaco’s website, affiliate websites, or social media.
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Judging
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Using objective criteria of financial need and consideration to first-generation students, the applications will be narrowed to the top 30 from each program.
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An independent review committee will read and score each essay. Essays will be judged on originality/personal examples, grammar and organization, and adherence to the topic.
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Scores will be tabulated and winners notified. All decisions are final and may not be appealed.
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Administration/award procedures
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Winner must be enrolling as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, community college, technical college, or trade school. Student must begin studies within the 2026/2027 academic year, or the student will be required to forfeit their scholarship funds.
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Dupaco Foundation offers two scholarship programs. When applying, entrant must select the appropriate scholarship program for their college choice or could end up forfeiting their scholarships funds:
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Four-Year College/University Scholarship Program (first-year student)
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Community College/Trade School Scholarship Program (first-year student)
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Funds are to be used only for tuition or room and board. The Foundation will make a payment in the form a check that is mailed to the applicable educational institution identified by the entrant. Checks will be made out to the institution and student.
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The Foundation’s officers, directors, and committee members and their family members are not eligible to receive a scholarship.
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Scholarship decisions are final and may not be appealed.
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The Dupaco Foundation Scholarship Program is not a benefit for members or employees of Dupaco Credit Union. It cannot be used by employees of Dupaco Credit Union to encourage potential applicants to become members or employees of Dupaco Credit Union. An individual’s membership or employment at Dupaco Credit Union will not be a factor in the application or selection process.
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Renewal criteria
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Student must reapply each year for the next annual disbursement.
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Student must demonstrate continuous full-time enrollment (continuously enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution in the fall and spring semesters).
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Student must maintain a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
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Student must demonstrate full-time enrollment for upcoming academic year.
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If a student ceases to be academically eligible for the scholarship at the time of renewal, they will be withdrawn from the scholarship program and no additional annual disbursements will be provided.
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Authority of Dupaco Foundation
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Dupaco Foundation has the authority to amend any of the above rules to ensure fairness in the awarding of scholarships.
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Any questions regarding the scholarship program should be emailed to scholarship@dupaco.com.
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